Maid of the Mist

Maid of the Mist has been a must-do attraction at the falls for generations because it truly offers the best way to see the falls up close and experience that famous mist. You really do get soaking wet, so it is a great activity to do in the rain or sunshine. It was raining on our Maid of the Mist voyage and that made the experience even better since there were less people on the boat.

The Maid of the Mist has been sailing tourists into the shadow of the falls since 1846 when its side wheel steamboat made the first journey. Before then, only small rowboats were used to sail visitors around the water. Over the past 150 plus years the boats have evolved and grown in size and everyone from Princess Diana and Marilyn Monroe to President Jimmy Carter and the members of One Direction have taken a ride. Today the fleet is comprised of only two boats that set sail every fifteen minutes with a new batch of up to 600 passengers from May to November.

It is a one-of-a-kind experience to sail into the bend of Horseshoe Falls and have the rushing, roaring waters surround you as you become enveloped in the mist, a memory that is well worth the price of admission. Plus, you get to keep the blue poncho. On your way out, don’t forget to take advantage of the views from the top of the Observation Tower which extends out over Niagara Gorge at a height of nearly 300 feet, offering views of all three falls from the New York side. You can access the free Observation Tower even if you are not boarding the Maid of the Mist.